Abba Sanyang, former Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs
By Landing Ceesay
The former Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, Mr. Sheriff Abba Sanyang, appeared in court on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, to face charges including theft, forgery, and economic crimes.
Resigned from his ministerial position amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds, Mr. Sanyang now faces a total of 27 criminal charges. He is being tried alongside Pa Lamin Jobe, who is also implicated in the case.
The charges state that between January 2022 and July 2022 in Janjanbureh, The Gambia, Mr. Sanyang breached the civil service Code of Conduct by awarding contracts worth several hundred thousand Dalasis to Sankulay Firm, a business owned by his sons. The Prosecution alleges that these crimes were committed during Mr. Sanyang’s tenure as Governor of the Central River Region (CRR).
Mr. Sanyang’s charges range from disobedience of statutory duty to economic crimes causing significant financial losses to the Gambian government. He is also accused of forgery and uttering false documents, purportedly during his time in office.
During Wednesday’s court session, which included plea-taking and other procedural matters, Counsel Borry S. Touray, representing Pa Lamin Jobe, informed the court that his client had not been served with the amended Bill of Indictment. He expressed readiness to accept service in court.
Counsel Kebba Sanyang, representing Mr. Sheriff Abba Sanyang, confirmed receipt of the amended Bill of Indictment but stated that he had not yet received all the prosecution’s intended trial documents, particularly his client’s witness statement. Additionally, he noted that some documents provided by the prosecution were difficult to read.
Presiding Judge Hon. Justice Sarah Aryee criticized the Prosecution for the trial’s delay due to incomplete service on the accused. She ordered the state to furnish readable documents to the defendants.
The case was adjourned to October 24 for a hearing.